Mold on hay

So four weeks ago we put up 150 bales of hay that I knew was wet. It was late cut, there was heavy dew and not enough sunshine to dry it out before it had to be put up to beat coming rain. Not good.

I was able to feed a bit of the hay but soon realized it had turned a corner and had to go to cows. I noticed yesterday when I threw out flakes a puff of what looked like smoke came off it. My dh argued with me about what it was: he said dust- I said MOLD IDIOT (not really but I wanted to!)

My question is this: after I emptied the stall of the remaining 120 bales I noticed (and of course pointed out to my husband) the black places on the wall of my stall (new barn) and thought, shouldn't I spray some diluted bleach on that or something to kill it off? WWYD? Horses won't go in there, and I have 50 bales of replacement hay coming Tuesday I need to put back in there. Thanks for your suggestions and I'd welcome the feedback on moldy, damp hay if you have any!

becky b

The white "dust" is mold. Whenever I end up with hay like that I take it across the street to my neighbors cows. I will not feed it to my horses. If you have time for the stall to dry really well before putting hay back in there I would spray it with bleach, but only if it has time to thoroughly dry. Otherwise I would line the stall with a good heavy tarp to keep the hay from touching it. I used to have those problems with hay but this year I finally got an excellent hay source so it is no longer a worry for me.

learningthedance

Yes, you will want to spray bleach to get rid of that black stuff and let it dry out good. The spoors will stay and move through the air if it's left there, only to continue to bloom with any moisture that comes and wakes it up.

Nasty stuff!!

PasoBaby_CarolU

I agree..spray with bleach, wash off, and let dry before you stack new hay in there.

Next time you get wet hay in, don't stack it. Lay it out and let it dry. You'll still have some mold in spots, but if it isn't TOO wet, if only the outside hay is wet, it will dry and be OK, BUT it has to have plenty of air and get totally dry before you stack it. The worst thing you can do is stack it. That creates an anerobic environment, perfect for molds to grow in.

fairhavenranch

Not to mention, it can burn your barn down.

Pyrgirl

fairhavenranch wrote:

Not to mention, it can burn your barn down.

Yes!

ladycfp

PasoBaby_CarolU wrote:

I agree..spray with bleach, wash off, and let dry before you stack new hay in there.

Next time you get wet hay in, don't stack it. Lay it out and let it dry. You'll still have some mold in spots, but if it isn't TOO wet, if only the outside hay is wet, it will dry and be OK, BUT it has to have plenty of air and get totally dry before you stack it. The worst thing you can do is stack it. That creates an anerobic environment, perfect for molds to grow in.

This hay was baled wet. I knew it was and I didn't want to put it up, but I was totally over ruled. The men told me to "salt it". We were way past that helping. And yes, I made him help me get it out yesterday.

Rain was coming and we had no place to let it dry. Should have just left it in the field to get washed as much good as it did me.

My grass hay was in the field in a downpour. Left on the field and raked to dry on the field and was raked twice during the week. Dried fine and..big plus here, less sugar content. Then it was baled and it's fine.

I have frequently found that men overrule you, only to find out they should have listened to you. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr A more experienced hay man would KNOW not to bale wet hay.